Recording device



July 9, 1940. B. COOPER 2,207,144

RECORDING DEVICE Filed July 8. 1958 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR y 9, 1940-B. COOPER RECORDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1938 INVENTOR.

Patented July 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE "mieo'anmo navrcr.

Beniamin Cooper, Jersey City, N. J. Application July 8, 1938, serial No.218,245 10 Claims. (01. 101-287) This invention relates to recordingdevices and more particularly to electromagnetically operated recordingdevices for printing a record on paper or other sheet material.

In electromagnetically operated recording devices which depend upon theactuating force applied by the insertion of a piece of paper intoprinting position, or by manually closing a switch to actuate the switchcontrolling mechanism, the

10 force is frequently inadequate to maintain the device in operativeposition, or is inadequately applied to obtain a clear recording.Further-. more, in such devices the legibility of the re-- cordin'gsusually vary with variations in the types 13 of papers used and themanual force applied thereto.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a compactand efiicient recording device of the character described for automati-20 cally and rapidly stamping paper or sheet material independently ofvariations in the type of paper or force applied thereto.

Another object is to provide means to insure a strong legible print foreach insertion of a 25 sheet of paper or sheet of material.

Another object is to provide means to insure a strong legible print foreach closure of the switch means.

A further object is to provide means to auto-.

30 matically break the circuit which operates the device, after therecording has occurred.

Other objects and characteristic features of the invention will appearfrom the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof,

3; taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein identicalreference numerals are applied to the same parts in the several figures,and in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the normal relationof the parts of a recorder illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the actuating sheet inserted in aprinting position to cause actuation of the device;

a Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts as they appear at the endof the actuated printing stroke;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts as they appear afterde-energization of said electroto magnetic means, and

embodiment of the invention, a framework ll, supports an electromagneticcoil i6 and also forms a bearing for a plunger I of the electromagneticcoil It. The plunger l5 has affixed thereto a platen l3 which normallyrests on the framework 5 II. The platen i3 is adapted to co-act with aprinting mechanism such as a type holding means H to eilect a printingoperation. The platen i3 and the type holding means 14 are relativelymovable one toward the other, and in the embodiment shown the platen i3is indicated as the movable member. Any desired style of type holdingmeans M can be provided such as a type holding roller as shown.Electrical means is provided for effecting the movement of 15 theplunger l5 and the platen I3 consisting of a source of power IS, aconductor 40, a normally open switch l2 consisting of contacts I! andl3, a conductor 4|, the electromagnetic coil 16, and a conductor 42. Theelectrical circuit provided for effecting movement of the platen may betraced from one side of the source of power i9, through the conductor40, the contact springs I1 and la, the conductor 4|, the electromagneticcoil 16, through theconductor42 and back to the other side of the sourceof power. For causing the actuation of the contacts l1 and Id of theswitch l2, and for retaining the contacts in closed positions a triggerlever 20 and a latch member 2i are provided. The trigger lever 20, Fig.1 is pivoted at 22 to the frame II and held in position by a lightspring 23 against a fixed pin 29 on frame II. The latch member 2| ispivotally mounted at the base of the trigger lever 20 by a pin 24 andnormally rests on the contact spring 11. The latch member 2| has aprojecting shoulder 25 which normally lies in contact with the outerface of the spring contact l'l. Theupper end of the trigger'lever 20 hasa projecting head portion 26 which projects slightly over the platen l3,so that it may co-act therewith when platen l3 rises during its printingstroke. The head portion 26 has a serrated face 21 which insures agripping of the edge of any sheet material that may be inserted in thedevice, and the face 21 of the head 26 has a slightly protruding roundedchin 28 which is so formed that it will gradually and slidably engagethe advancing edge of the platen l3 during its upward printing stroke,and also when engaged with the platen will by means of its protrudingshape prevent the engagement of the serrated face with the edge or theplaten.

Upon insertion of a sheet of paper or other strip 30 into the printingposition between the u type holding means i4 and the platen E3, thetrigger lever 28 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2. The triggeris mounted upon itspivot in such a manner that it is substantiallybalanced, requiring only a slight force to cause actuation thereof.Actuation 'of the trigger 2U will pull the latch member 2! inwardly orto the right Fig. 2, when the trigger head 26 is pushed outwardly.A'slight pull of the trigger lever 28 through its base pin 24 issufiicient to cause the latch member M to force the contact spring ii tobe pressed against contact spring is, closing the circuit to theelectromagnetic coil it: which becomes energized and forces the platen03 to start to rise as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. When the plateni3 starts to rise due to the actu ation of the electromagnetic coil 05,an upper rounded nose 32 of the platen it engages in cam fashion theyieldably lower protruding chin 28 of the head 26 of the trigger lever28 forcing said trigger to be displaced further from its normal positionas shown in Fig. 3. This, in turn, causes the lower end of the trigger2%, through its base pin 24, to further displace the latch member 2!from its normal position as shown in Fig. 3. The initial displacement ofthe latch member 2| being suflicient to make a temporary contact betweenthe contact springs 01? and it, the subsequent additional displacementof the latch member 2! will insure an increased and uniform contactpressure between the contact springs l1 and I8. As shown in Fig. 3, thecontact spring I1 having been forced from its original position by avery small force such as the edge of a thin paper sheet conveys, thecircuit is completed as described. Because of the nature of electricalcontacts to are or burn at their point of contact, especially where theslightest gap remains, and because of high contact resistance, whereslight pressure or air gaps remain, it becomes essential to insure anincreased and uniform contact pressure and continued closure of saidcontacts during their working cycle. The outer edge of platen I3 bearingagainst the head 26 of the trigger 28, immediately upon energization ofthe electromagnetic coil It, creates a locking of the circuit and a moreintimate association of the contacts until the recording has beencompleted. The continued closure of the contacts I! and i8 will set up.a continuous uninterrupted circuit in the electromagnetic coil IB, thisin turn causes a definite uninterrupted fprce upon the plunger l5.

The plunger I5 is actuated by the continued uninterrupted magnetic forceof the electromagnetic coil 16, thus causing a definite uninterruptedmovement of the platen l3 to a printing position as shown in Figs. 3 and4. The printing movement of the platen I3 is entirely dependent upon theforce of the electromagnetic coil I6,

and does not rely on the momentum of the plunger l5 or the platen l3which may have been originated by the initial actuation of theelectromagnetic coil. The printing movement of the platen l3 carriessaid platen against the paper or strip and carries said paper againstthe inked type holding member [4, causing a clean-cut impression tobemade on'the strip 30. g

The plunger l5 has at its base a slot '33 in which a lever 34, having aball joint 35, is set. The lever 34, being pivotally mounted at 35 tothe frame II, has an extended pin 38 mounted on its upper face so thatit will coact with the under-side of the latch member 2|. It will bereadily understood that the upward printing electromagnetic coil 06de-energized, the platen i3 and plunger 85 will, by their own weight assume their normal starting positions as shown in Fig. 1. The return ofplunger 85 to its normal position will likewise return the pin 38 on thelever 34? to its normal position. As the paper is withdrawn, immediatelyafter the printing operation, latch member 26 and lever 26 will also bereturned to their normal position by spring 23, as shown in Fig. 1, andthe device is reset and ready for the next operation.

However, if the paper is not removed immediately after printing, lever26] will remain in its tensioned position after platen i5 and pin 38have, dropped, to permit the latch 28 to drop. As the latch drops,shoulder 25 will fall in front of contact arm H in disengagement withthe com tact arm and further movement of the lever by the paper will notbe transmitted to said arm, 1

thus preventing a second closure of the switch and a second print. Uponwithdrawal of the sheet, lever 20 will be released allowing latch 25 toslide along the incline of shoulder 25 to bring the switch actuatingedge to the other side of contact Il The device is then reset for thenext stamping operation.

Referring to Fig. 5 which illustrates another embodiment of the samerecording device, and is substantially identical in structure with theexception of an additional mechanical means to control the initialclosure of the contacts I! and I8, and permits the initial actuation ofthe device. Instead of depending upon the actuation of the device by theedge of a paper inserted against a finely balanced trigger mechanism,the mechanical means 45 is used to control same. The mechanical means 45consists of a rod 45 which is supported by the framework II and acts asa bearing for same, attached to its outer end is a button 52, betweenthe button 52 and the framework H, a spring 41 is inserted to hold thebutton 52 in a normally disengaged position. Midway of the rod 46, astop shoulder 49 is secured in any suitable fashion, retaining the rodin a starting position. The inner end of the rod 46 has a roundedportion 50 to insure a minimum amount of friction but a positiveengagement with the contact spring I'I. It will be readily understoodthat the actuation of the means 45 by sufficient pressure on the button52 will cause the rounded end 50 to engage the contact spring l1 andcause contact H to be pressed against contact I8, closing the circuit tothe electromagnetic coil I8. The actuating circuit may be traced asdescribed in the foregoing embodiment, being identical.

It will be clearly apparent that when the circuit is closed and theelectromagnetic coil l5 becomes energized, that the initialelectromagnetic force on the plunger l5, which is attached to andcarries with it the platen I3, is sufficient to raise the platen to aposition wherein the edge l3 engages the chin 28 of the head 28 of thetrigger lever 20, and the locking of the circuit and sub- 15 sequentbreaking of the circuit is substantially as already described in theforegoing embodiment.

The embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are merelyillustrative and may be modified and departed from in many ways withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out inand limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a movable element, an electromagnet for moving saidelement, an electrical circuit for energizing said electro-magnet, aswitch in said circuit, a lever, a latch member connected to said leverand engaging said switch, said lever being adapted to be moved by asheet of material pressed against said lever for causing the latch toclose the switch for completing said circuit to energize theelectromagnet and move said element, said movable element being adaptedto engage said lever to maintain said switch in closed position duringthe. movement of said element.

2. In combination, a movable element, an electromagnet for moving saidelement, an electrical circuit for energizing said magnet, a switch insaid circuit, a lever, a latch member connected to said lever andengaging said switch, said lever being adapted to be. moved by a sheetof material pressed against said lever for causing the latch to closesaid switch for completing said circuit to energize said electromagnetand move said element, said movable element being adapted to engage saidlever to lock said circuit during the movement of the element, and meansto trip said latch for releasing said switch and opening said circuitupon movement of said element a predetermined distance. f

3. In a printing device, a movable platen, printing wheels,electro-magnetic means to move said platen toward said wheels, meansresponsive to the insertion of a sheet to be printed in printingposition to energize said electro-magnetic means for moving said platen,means controlled by the movement of said platen to maintain energizationof said electro-magnetic means during the movement of said platen, meanscontrolled by said platen to de-energize said electromagnetic. meansafter the movable platen has moved a suf-.

ficient distance to press said sheet against said printing wheels forprinting on said sheet, said sheet responsive means being inoperative tofurther energize said electro-magnetic means until the printed sheet hasbeen withdrawn from printing position.

4. In a device of the character described, a movable element,elctro-magnetic means to move said element, a circuit for saidelectro-magnetic means, a switch in said circuit, a lever, means on saidlever for closing said switch when said lever is pivotally moved in onedirection, means on said movable element for further pivotally movingsaid lever in said direction as said element starts moving to increasethe contact pressure of the switch, said movable element having means tohold said lever in the position to which it is moved by said movableelement as said element continues moving, to maintain said increasedcontact pressure on said switch.

5. In a printing device, a movable element, electro-magnetic means tomove said element, a pair of normally open contacts in said circuit,means responsive to the insertion of a sheet in printing position forapplying pressure to one of said contacts for moving the same intoengagement with said other contact forclosing the circuit and energizingsaid electro-magnetic means, means controlled by the movement of saidmovable element for increasing the pressure of said first contactagainst the second contact, and means controlled by said movable elementfor maintaining said increased pressure during the movement of saidelement.

6. In a printing device, a movable element, electro-magnetic means tomove said element, a pair of normally open contacts in said circuit,means responsive to the insertion of a sheet in printing position forapplying pressure to one of said contacts for moving the same intoengagement with said other contact for closing the circuit andenergizing said electro-magnetic means, means controlled by the movementof said movable element for increasing the pressure of said firstcontact against the second contact, means controlled by said movableelement for maintaining said increased pressure during the movement ofsaid element, and means to release said first contact for opening saidcircuit upon movement of saidaelement a predetermined distance.

'7. In a printing machine, in combination, a movable printing element,an electric circuit including an electromagnetic means to move saidelement, and a switch adapted to close said circuit, means to lock saidswitch in circuit closing position, said last means comprising a memberoperatively connected to said switch, means on said movable element tohold said member in switch closing position, only upon moving saidmovable element from normal position by said electro-magnetic means, andmeans controlled by movement of said element substantially to printingposition, to release said locking means.

8. In a printing device, a movable printing element, an electric circuitincluding electro-mag- -netic means to move said element, and a switchposition, only upon movement of said movable element from normalposition by said electromagnetic means, and means controlled bymovement. of, said printing element substantially to printing position,to release saidlocking means.

9. In a printing device, a movable printing element, an electric circuitincluding magnetic means to move said element, and a switch to closesaid circuit, means responsive to the insertion of a sheet in printingposition for closing said switch, said means including a member adaptedto be contacted by said sheet and operatively connected to said switch,means for locking said switch in circuit closing position, said lastmeans comprising means on the movable printing element to hold saidmember in switch closing position, only upon movement of said movableelement from normal position by said electro-magnetic means, and withoutmoving said member during a portion of the movement of said movableelement, and means controlled by movement of said element substantiallyto printing position, to release said locking means.

10. In a printing device, a movable printing element, an electriccircuit including electromagnetic means to move said element, and aswitch for closing said circuit, a member, means on said member forclosing said switch, when said member is moved in one direction, meanseffective upon ,movement of said member in said direction and closure ofsaid switch, for further moving said member in said direction as saide1ement is moved by said electm-magnetic means, to increase the compactpressure of said switch, and then to hold and maintain said member inincreased contact pressure position without fur ther increase in contactpressure, as said element continues to be moved by said electro-magneticmeans, and means controlled by movement of said element substantially toprinting position, to open said switch.

BENJAMIN COOPER.

